We recently connected with Amanda Schwartz and have shared our conversation below.

Amanda, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

Yes, I am genuinely happy as a business owner — I honestly can’t imagine myself doing anything else. Building Schwartz Sports Massage from the ground up has given me a sense of ownership, direction, and identity that no regular job ever could.
But I’ll admit: the thought does cross my mind sometimes, especially on slow weeks. The last time it happened was a quiet Tuesday morning in my studio. I had one client cancel last-minute, and suddenly I found myself with a three-hour gap in my day. I remember sitting on my treatment table, sunlight coming in through the blinds, scrolling through my booking calendar and feeling that familiar little wave of worry rise in my chest — Is this just a slow day, or is this a slow season? Should I be doing more? Am I doing enough?
For a moment, I wondered what it would be like to have a “normal” job — the kind where you clock in, the work is already waiting for you, you do your shift, and when you clock out, you’re done. No late-night planning, no marketing ideas running through your head in the shower, no endless behind-the-scenes admin that no one pays you for. Just routine. Predictability. Simplicity.
But as quickly as that thought came, it passed. Because I realized that even on the slow days — maybe especially on the slow days — I love what I do. I love the independence, the responsibility, and the endless challenge of business ownership. I love that every success is mine, earned with intention and effort. And yes, there is no true “day off” when you’re building something from scratch, but that’s part of what excites me. It forces growth. It demands creativity. It teaches resilience.
Running a business has stretched me in ways that a regular job never could. It’s shaped my character, strengthened my work ethic, and made me a more confident, resourceful, and adaptable person. Even when it’s hard, I still choose it

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Amanda Schwartz, and I’m the founder of Schwartz Sports Massage in Santa Barbara. I’ve always been deeply connected to movement — running, lifting, group fitness, and anything that challenges the body. Over the years, through my own experiences with training and injury, I realized how hard it was to find bodywork that actually understood what an athlete’s body needs. That frustration ultimately led me into sports massage and corrective exercise.
I completed a 550-hour massage certification, and became a NASM Certified Personal Trainer. All of these experiences blend together in how I treat clients — it’s hands-on, educational, and rooted in functional anatomy.
I provide sports massage and individualized recovery work, with an emphasis on helping people move and feel better. My sessions typically include:
Sports massage
Deep tissue
Myofascial release
Trigger point therapy
Dynamic cupping
Stretching and mobility work
Corrective exercise guidance
Postural and movement assessments
I work with runners, lifters, athletes, first responders, students, desk workers — really anyone who’s dealing with pain, tightness, or movement limitations.
What sets me apart is the combination of athletic experience, rehab knowledge, and manual therapy, all in one place. Because I train daily and work closely with physical therapists, I understand the body from multiple angles — how it moves, compensates, and breaks down.
My approach is very personalized. I explain what I’m doing, why I’m doing it, and how it connects to their goals. I don’t run people through the same routine. Every session is truly custom, and clients can feel the difference.
Also, my brand is built on education, honesty, and high-quality care. I’m not just trying to make people relaxed — I want to help them move better long-term.
I want people to know that Schwartz Sports Massage is a place for real, targeted, effective recovery. It’s for people who want to take care of their bodies in a deeper, more intentional way. My work is rooted in anatomy, movement, and a genuine desire to help people feel better.
Whether you’re an athlete or someone who sits at a desk all day, you deserve to move without pain — and I’m here to help you get there.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

A big part of building my reputation has come from being consistently present in the community. The pop-up events I’ve hosted at local gyms and fitness studios have been especially impactful, because they give people a chance to experience my work firsthand and understand the value of sports-focused bodywork. Social media has also played a major role — I use it to educate, share tips, and highlight real client results, which helps people get to know my approach before they ever book. And attending networking events has helped me form relationships with trainers, physical therapists, and other business owners in Santa Barbara. Altogether, showing up, connecting with people, and providing value both online and in person are what helped my reputation grow.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Absolutely — the biggest influence on my entrepreneurial mindset has been “The E-Myth” by Michael E. Gerber. That book honestly changed the way I thought about running a business. It talks about the difference between being good at your craft and actually building a business that can grow, operate smoothly, and sustain itself. Like a lot of people in the wellness world, I started out thinking if I worked hard and delivered great sessions, everything else would fall into place. But The E-Myth helped me understand the importance of systems, workflows, and structure — the behind-the-scenes pieces that allow a business to scale without burning the owner out.
It taught me to step into the role of not just the technician, but also the manager and the visionary. It made me more intentional about how I schedule, how I create client workflows, how I think about branding, and even how I plan for growth. That mindset shift — from working in the business to working on the business — has been huge for me and really shaped how I operate today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.schwartzsportsmassage.com
• Instagram: schwartz_sports